Thunderbird

Large and flickering creatures of the sky, Thunderbirds are considered the cousin of Phoenixes. Unlike their kin, Thunderbirds only tend to come out during storms, thriving in an environment with a high concentration of lightning. Their colors range from pitch black to deep purples and shades of navy. Their feathers are constantly full of static and are usually very shiny and sleek. As a result of their constant electrical energy, when a Thunderbird lands on someone or something, it typically causes a static shock. Nearby Thunderbirds can be sensed by the hair raising on one’s arms and head.

Thunderbirds are fairly large in size, but are no bigger than their cousins, the Phoenix. While female Phoenixes are larger than males, Thunderbirds are the opposite. Male Thunderbirds can possess a wingspan of up to 7 feet in length and may grow up to 3.5 feet in height, while females tend to stay around 6.5 feet and 3.2 feet in wingspan and height respectively. The talons of a Thunderbird appear to be made of a highly conductive metal. When a thunderstorm occurs, a Thunderbird is capable of unintentionally electrocuting anything its talons touch as a result of this high conductivity. This electrocution is minor and will incapacitate a victim for 1 emote, but may leave them disoriented as well.

Similarly to a Phoenix, Thunderbirds can also be reborn upon their slaughter. They are capable of transforming their bodies into a minor thunderstorm form in which their feathers become gray misty cloud-like fixtures, engulfed by small and sporadic streaks of lightning. The center of their bodies remains vulnerable in this form, and they can still be killed via arrows or other means that avoid the electric shock from lightning. When a Thunderbird is killed in this form, it will flash with a bright electrical impulse so hot that the body of the Thunderbird will be turned into lightning glass from which the creature can revive itself.

Distribution

Rare. Thunderbirds are native to the crystal region. Thunderstorms in the crystal biome will often result in lightning being transferred through several of the more conductive crystals in the region, creating small electrical fields in which Thunderbirds thrive. As a result of this, Thunderbirds tend to be found in pairs, and mate when thunderstorms are particularly severe.

Habitat

Thunderbirds tend to go wherever the weather is the worst, but are most often found residing in the crystal biome and on occasion, beaches where lightning glass is plentiful.

Diet

Thunderbirds have a very strict diet of crystals and lightning glass, their beaks particularly formed to aid in the consumption of such. They do not need to eat very often, but are very picky with their diet and will refuse to eat any other type of “food”.

Relations

Thunderbirds are adventurous and docile, except when threatened. They are difficult to tame due to their wild nature, and can only be feasibly tamed if nurtured nearly from birth.

Mechanics

• Able to shock things with electrically charged talons, capable of stunning a victim for [1 emote] and likely disorienting them as well.
• Can revive itself from its own lightning glass.
• Intelligent.
• Difficult to tame, need to be raised from youngling.

Material Properties

• When a feather is removed from a Thunderbird, it will gradually crystallize into lightning glass. Upon complete crystallization, it can serve as a catalyst additive for electromancy.

The World of Aethius • The Multiverse of Aethier